KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, says the department is doubling its efforts to build Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) after 196 homes were destroyed by raging veld fires in Umlalazi Local Municipality.

Duma visited the families in Umlalazi and Mthonjaneni Local Municipalities, who were affected by Sunday’s veld fires, to give comfort to the victims, and assess the damage and relief needed to assist the victims.

Among the families visited are the Gazu family, who lost a family member during an incident. Muntukabongwa Gazu (67) sustained severe burn injuries after the family’s five mud houses were reduced to ashes by runaway fires at Ezinyosini – Ward 1 in Umlalazi Local Municipality. Another family member, Japhet Gazu, is currently in the hospital.

‘We are here to comfort the family following the untimely death of their father. The heart-wrenching story narrated by Gazu family and the traumatic experience they have gone through calls for all of us to be closer to them and
other families,’ Duma said.

Duma said the Head of Department, Mdu Zungu, and the entire team will ensure that the family gets a decent house and is assisted with funeral arrangements.

‘The Temporary Residential Unit for the Gazu family will be finished this weekend to enable the family to bury their father with dignity. We must hasten to point out that the profiling of affected families is continuing to ensure that accurate information is submitted to the Emergency Housing Unit located in the national Department of Human Settlements.

‘Critically, we agree with the Minister of Human Settlements, Mammaloko Kubayi, who suggested that alternative building technology must be introduced to ensure that fire or flood resistant houses are constructed for vulnerable members of society,’ Duma said.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has warned of extremely high fire danger conditions in the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal today.

The affected areas include Abaqulusi, Alfred Duma (Indaka and Ladysmith), Big Fiv
e Hlabisa (Hlabisa), Dannhauser, eDumbe, eMadlangeni, Endumeni, Jozini, Msinga, Mthonjaneni, Newcastle, Nkandla, Nongoma, Nquthu, Okhahlamba, Ulundi, uMlalazi and uPhongolo.

The provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has urged residents in the affected areas to be on high alert and take this warning seriously and cooperate fully with fire safety measures.

Source: South African Government News Agency